Roman Empire — AV 1.5 Solidi Gold Medallion Constantine I “The Great” | AD 307–337 | Nicomedia Mint

Roman Empire, Nicomedia Mint | AV 1.5 Solidi Medallion (6.65g) Constantine I the Great NGC AU | Strike: 5/5 | Surface: 3/5 | Brushed Rare Equestrian Reverse — Emperor on Horseback Prestigious Multiple-Solidi Donative Issue

An exceptional and highly impressive Roman AV Medallion of the first Christian Emperor, Constantine the Great, struck as a remarkable 1.5 Solidi denomination — a substantially larger and far rarer issue than the standard solidus of the era. These heavier multiple-solidi presentations were not ordinary circulating coinage, but prestigious imperial donatives reserved for high-ranking officers, dignitaries, and members of Constantine’s inner circle. The sheer presence and gold weight of a 1½ Solidi immediately elevate this piece into an elite tier of Roman numismatics seldom encountered on the market.

Constantine I remains one of the most consequential rulers in human history — the emperor who forever altered the trajectory of both the Roman Empire and Western civilization itself. Before Constantine, Christianity endured centuries of intermittent persecution under Roman rule. Following his victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in AD 312 — a battle he famously believed was won under divine Christian favor after witnessing a heavenly sign — Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in AD 313, legalizing Christianity throughout the empire for the first time. What had once been a persecuted faith suddenly became protected under imperial authority.

His influence extended far beyond religion. Constantine founded the new imperial capital of Constantinople on the ancient site of Byzantium, creating what would become the center of the Byzantine Empire for over a thousand years. He reorganized the Roman state, strengthened imperial administration, reformed the military, and introduced the gold solidus currency system that became the backbone of Mediterranean commerce for centuries. In many ways, Constantine stands as the bridge between the Classical Roman world and the medieval Christian empire that followed.

Pieces such as this magnificent 1.5 Solidi medallion were not everyday commerce strikes, but elite ceremonial donatives — prestigious multiples of the standard solidus presented to senior military commanders, political allies, and favored members of the imperial court. Their larger format and increased gold content were deliberate displays of imperial wealth and authority. Most were melted long ago for their bullion value, making surviving examples extraordinarily elusive today. To hold such a piece is to hold an object struck at the very center of imperial power during one of the most transformative reigns in world history.

Certified NGC Ch AU with a coveted 5/5 Strike, the portrait of Constantine is struck with extraordinary sharpness and definition, displaying a commanding imperial gaze, intricate laurel details, and remarkably bold legends throughout. The reverse depicting the emperor on horseback is especially captivating — a classic late Roman military image celebrating Constantine’s victories and authority across the empire. The equestrian motif radiates motion and power, perfectly fitting the ruler who forever transformed Roman history.

What makes this piece especially desirable beyond its denomination is its combination of size, artistry, and preservation. Large gold Roman multiples were heavily melted throughout history, making surviving examples extraordinarily elusive today. Even among advanced Roman gold collections, a true Constantine 1.5 Solidi stands as a centerpiece-level acquisition — a museum-caliber relic from the dawn of Christian Rome, struck in brilliant gold over 1,700 years ago.